Unpleasant Odor from a Water Boiler – St. Louis HVAC

Over the years some St. Louis homeowners have experienced an unpleasant odor coming from their water boiler.

Water heaters and boilers are essential appliances in any home. Although some people use these two terms interchangeably, water heaters and water boilers are different from each other. Water heaters can heat and store water. On the other hand water boilers are mainly copper tubes that can heat and circulate water around a house, apartment rows, or an outdoor swimming pool.

A major problem with water heaters and boilers is when they start to emit an odor similar to rotten eggs. Even as this odor does not indicate that the boiler or heater is broken nor does it indicate something bad is going to happen, it is something that homeowners have to deal with simply because it is an unpleasant smell.

This unpleasant odor is often mainly due to the presence of anaerobic bacteria that normally thrive on the aluminum and magnesium components of water heaters and boilers. These components are also known as sacrificial anodes, and require frequent replacement. The damp and dark environment that water heaters and boilers provide to magnesium and aluminum anodes makes it appealing for bacteria to thrive. This is particularly true for anaerobic bacteria that cause the sulfur-like odor.

What Should You Do?

One thing that differentiates water heaters from boilers is the presence of numerous components in a boiler, which makes it difficult to repair. A water heater can sometimes be repaired by a homeowner. But, the different pipes and valves in a boiler make it a good idea to get an St. Louis HVAC professional to repair it. It has more components compared to a water heater, which makes it difficult for homeowners to repair it if it gets broken. A St. Louis professional can inspect the system and easily provide the reason behind any peculiar odor emitted by a boiler.

It is advisable to have the anodes of a water heater checked by a plumber to determine whether or not it needs to be replaced. It may be necessary to have more than one aluminum anode replaced, which will reduce the number of bacteria thriving on the equipment. However, there are other methods that can be used when a homeowner uses water softener.

While waiting for the technician to come and carry out the repairs, a homeowner may be able to perform a quick-fix to reduce the unpleasant rotten egg odor coming from the equipment. Some homeowners use hydrogen peroxide as a quick fix. To do this, the cold-water valve of the water heater should be turned off and a hot water tap in any part of the house should be left open. A small amount of water should be drained into the heater before the access valve is opened. The hydrogen peroxide is then be poured into the valve before it is closed. The peroxide should be allowed to stay inside the tank for a few hours to kill off some of the bacteria. After a while, the cold-water valve should be opened to clean out the peroxide. Some taps inside the home can be opened to let the water run.

Long Term Solution – Call Hely!

It’s not easy to find a reputable HVAC company in St. Louis with the proven experience and skills to repair and maintain your home’s HVAC system. With over 45 years under our belts, we are the only HVAC company you will ever need to keep your home’s indoor temperature toasty warm this winter! Call Hely today at 636-305-9555!